According to a press release by Nuclear Blast posted on Lambgoat, there’s a bunch of assholes out there posing as representatives of the record label in order to scam money, merchandise and other stuff from aspiring bands wanting a record deal. Check it out:

You’re an unsigned band playing a local show and someone approaches you claiming to represent Nuclear Blast Records or Metal Blade Records. They say they want to sign you, book studio time for your band, buy you plane tickets, or even put you on Ozzfest, yet no contracts are ever involved. Sound too good to be true? That’s because it is.

There’s been a rash of imposters in several states claiming all of the above and more. Some try to extort money from bands by claiming they need it to place a deposit on whatever it is they’re promising. Others want free entry into a show, free CDs & band merchandise, or backstage access. Whatever the case, what’s clear is that these imposters have such low-self esteem that they’re willing to lie about who they are.

Bands, DO NOT LET YOUR HOPES OF GETTING SIGNED BLINDSIDE YOU. Staff members at Nuclear Blast and Metal Blade:

- conduct official business via their official office e-mail & telephone number.

- can produce a business card with the label’s logo, official office address, and official telephone number.

- NEVER ask unsigned bands for “deposit” money.

Nuclear Blast and Metal Blade Records wish to keep their reputations among metal fans and metal musicians in good standing, as we understand how hard bands work to bring their music to the metal community. These imposters are mocking everything we stand for as independent metal labels, as musicians, and as fans.

If ANYONE approaches your band claiming to be from a label and asks for money, for free entry into a show, free CDs or merchandise, or backstage access, your FIRST response should be to be skeptical.

Call the label asking to verify staff names and positions. Or, take your photo with the imposter/impersonator and send it to the label’s general e-mail address to inform them of what they are promising.

Nuclear Blast’s general e-mail address is: mail@nuclearblastusa.com

Metal Blade’s general e-mail address is: metalblade@metalblade.com

I guess you’d have to be pretty dumb to actually believe some random guy that comes up to you claiming to be a record label rep wanting to sign your band and asking money for it. Then again, with Nuclear Blast signing every single metal band with a Myspace out there, it’s not that far of a stretch.